Author Archives: Jay Clarke (@AmericanHeirs)

When the First Ego is on the line, defeat is not an option. And maybe that’s the reason behind Obama’s frantic campaign efforts.

After all, he certainly couldn’t want to remain president. Could he?

With a tanked economy, near 15% unemployment, Radical Islam on the rise, dead Americans in Libya, nuclear Iran rising, the Obamacare/Tea Party/Catholic Church Rebellion and Darryl Issa’s jaws clenched like a Moray eel around Fast and Furious, Obama would be well-advised to sacrifice his incalculable ego in hopes of a calmer life and more prosperous future.

He should pray he loses.

If Obama wins reelection, he’ll inherit from himself a far worse economy and a far more skeptical electorate than he did from George W. Bush.

He’ll have to deal with a disillusioned and angry public who will demand real solutions versus the hype, racial division and class warfare of the last four years.

The second term for most presidents is often much more challenging than the first. But, Obama’s would be filled with unprecedented political and legal landmines. It would be a true nightmare.

For him and for us.

Barack Obama started out as a transformative figure in the minds of many Americans.

He was their Messiah. The One. He was to fulfill the dreams of every Miss America contestant and heal the earth, slow the rise of the oceans, make all things fair and institute world peace.

Cue the deep sigh.

Today that is all gone. The warm and fuzzy of 2008 has been replaced by the harsh reality of living in 2012 America. The shine is off the Obama penny. The bloom is off the rose. The emperor has no clothes.

Pick your favorite cliché.

The point is, Barack Obama is a known quantity. The magic is over and the thrill is definitely gone. Americans see him for who he really is. A petty, narcissistic, toxic, partisan politician with a far left, radical ideology who is intent on remaking America into a European Socialist model.

That’s a far cry from Messiah.

The metamorphosis from prophet to partisan attack dog was breathtaking in its speed as the “real Barack” was revealed to America.

When Obamacare was passed in opposition to public opinion and without a single Republican vote, congressional Democrats used the questionable tactic of “reconciliation” to avoid a Republican filibuster. To this day, Americans remain outraged that Obama and his Democrat allies would dare to forcibly ram legislation down the throats of an unwilling American public.

When Obama pushed back against Republican lawmakers’ concerns regarding the stimulus bill we were shocked at his arrogance. “I won” he told Republicans. As if that settled all concerns.

Obama regularly displays contempt and disregard for his political opponents. Like all narcissists, Obama isn’t interested in compromise or in finding common ground with those who disagree with him. He seeks only to win, to be victorious and to demonstrate his superiority.

Barack Obama is all about conquest.

Americans now know this. We get it.

Another four years of Obama will be another four years of the same political maneuvering and partisan, ideological battles that we are all just so sick and tired of.

We’re not interested in political power plays. Our situation is too dire.

We don’t care about class warfare. We want the economy to rebound.

We’re not looking for more handouts, more unemployment benefits, more food stamps or free contraceptives.

Americans want to go to work.

We want good jobs. A thriving economy and the freedom to pursue our dreams through our own hard work and ingenuity.

We want the government out of our lives.

And we want the American Dream back.

America needs a leader who can heal the nation by providing reasonable solutions that actually work. And we will not tolerate a repeat of the last four years.

For his own sake and for that of all Americans, Barack Obama must lose.

It’s in his own best interest. And certainly in the best interest of America.

Candidate Barack Obama offered the nation a sappy-sweet promise of “hope and change” full of high emotion and little substance to which many disillusioned Americans fell prey.

In 2012, America is more fearful than ever. The promised change has not come. In its place, a dark agenda of wealth redistribution, punitive taxes and massive expansion of government control in all areas of our lives.

Some saw this coming. Others are just awakening to the nightmare.

Now, Barack Obama says he wants four more years to finish what he started.

Except this time, the happy talk and lofty rhetoric is gone. There’s a record to review.

And the reviews are not good.

The polls are reflecting this truth and it’s only going to get worse.

Because when Americans go to the polls on November 6th, we will remember the Obama record.

We’ll remember Obamacare being forced down our throats without one Republican vote and without anyone reading the bill. Our voices were heard loud and clear at town hall meetings across the nation. Yet, Obama and Congressional Democrats chose to rule against the will of the people.

We won’t forget or forgive them for it.

As the details of Obamacare slowly dripped out, people of faith joined in protest of provisions requiring religious institutions to provide health insurance that covered abortions and abortifacients. Barack pledged that there would be no taxpayer funded abortions in Obamacare. But, now he demands that religious organizations violate their conscience and support the murder of unborn babies.

Obama repeatedly promised that no American earning over $250,000 would receive a tax increase. America believed and was then shocked to find 21 new taxes hidden within the 2,000 pages of the Obamacare law. We won’t forget that.

He said that Obamacare was not, in any way, a tax on Americans. Yet, when Obamacare reached the Supreme Court, the Obama team argued that the law actuallywas a tax and, therefore, constitutional because of Congress’ power to tax. The Supreme Court clarified. Obamacare is a tax, the largest in U.S. history.

In 2008 Obama promised to lower the unemployment rate to under 6%. Yet, today, true unemployment is in the 15% range with untold Americans underemployed or having given up looking for work altogether.

Meanwhile, Obama has not passed a single budget since entering office. Both Democrats and Republicans have rejected his budget proposals. That is inexcusable, and it will be on our minds.

As gas prices soar, we’ll remember that Obama restricted American oil production and rejected the Keystone Pipeline while championing and providing financial assistance for oil drilling by Brazil. His war on coal is killing jobs in coal producing states and threatening to decimate the entire U.S. coal industry.

We remember Obama’s foreign policy record as he insulted our closest allies by returning the bust of Winston Churchill to Britain and choosing to put “daylight” between America and Israel. Remember Barack’s hateful glare at Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu?

And who can forget Obama’s overseas apology tour as he criticized America while standing on foreign soil?

Americans heard Obama, on a hot mic, tell Russian President Medvedev and, by extension Vladimir Putin, that he’d have “more flexibility” after the election to deal with difficult issues such as missile defense.

Obama championed the “Arab Spring” while a radical, Islamist government arose in Egypt with anti-American, anti-Christian sentiments. Coptic Christians are beaten and slaughtered in Egypt and in Nigeria. According to Obama, the “Arab Spring” is a victory for democracy.

Two days after the announcement of Bin Laden’s death, Vice President Joe Bidenrevealed that U.S. Navy SEALs had ended OBL’s existence. One month later, the Administration provided the name of the planner and SEAL commander to Hollywood producers. 90 days after Bin Laden’s demise 22 U.S. SEALS, most from SEAL Team 6, were killed in Afghanistan when their helicopter was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade. 30 service personnel died that day. The worst single day death toll in the entire Afghanistan war.

We will not forget them or that Obama Administration leaks likely contributed to their deaths.

And we won’t forget that they were abandoned in their hour of need or that Barack Obama continues to lie to the American people about the events of that day.

Mr. President, when you needed them, the SEALs responded and killed Bin Laden. When they needed you in Benghazi, where were you?

We are repulsed by the President’s lawlessness as he signed executive orders circumventing Congress and changing U.S. policy toward illegal immigration, effectively implementing “The Dream Act” without Congressional approval. And by refusing to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and negating key work provisions of Bill Clinton’s Welfare Reform Act, he violated his oath, and the law, once again.

Maybe it’s all in a day’s work for him. But, we expect our presidents to obey the law. We’ll remember that Barack did not.

We’ll remember Operation Fast and Furious and seek to honor U.S. Border Agent Brian Terry and his grieving family. The Obama Administration allowed thousands of weapons to “walk” into Mexico. Those weapons killed Brian Terry and are now killing Mexican citizens.

And we won’t forget that President Obama invoked Executive Privilege to prevent the truth from being known about this deadly scandal.

We’ll be reminded that Obama has repeatedly lied to the American people as demonstrated in numerous articles, fact checks and witnessed by tens of millions of Americans during the recent presidential debates.

We’ll surely remember Obama quoting the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and endowed….with certain unalienable rights…”regularly omitting the words“by their Creator.”

All parents will remember that Barack and Michelle Obama mandated what kind of food and how much of it our children can eat while at school even to the point of confiscating our children’s homemade lunches.

As Americans vote this next Tuesday, we will remember the Obama record and how it has affected the people in our lives.

We’ll think about family and friends who are out of work or are just barely scraping by.

We’ll think about the millions of Americans who have lost their homes and now wonder if they’ll ever own a home again.

We’ll think about our children and every parent’s dream that their children’s lives will be better than their own.

Many will wonder if they’ll ever retire or if being a senior citizen means having to say “do you want fries with that?” or “welcome to Walmart” until they can no longer physically perform.

We’ll remember our men and women in uniform and wonder if their Commander in Chief truly values their lives and the sacrifices of their families.

Business owners will wonder if they’ll be able to expand and hire new workers or if they’ll be forced to lay off more of their valued employees. Even worse, if they’ll be forced to close their doors forever.

And entrepreneurs will wonder if opportunity will still exist in America. If free enterprise can survive another four years of Barack Obama.

Americans will remember the Obama record.

His inability to get things done, to perform on behalf of the American people.

And to tell the truth.

Obama will be weighed in the balance against previous presidents, and he will be found wanting.

According to Chick-fil-A’s Dan Cathy and many Americans of faith, the Bible has the final word. Marriage = man and woman. End of story.

This simple statement, and still widely held belief, has infuriated homosexual activists and become a focal point of the culture war that is engulfing America. Gay marriage zealots, who claim to preach tolerance and love, instead hurl insults and openly wish financial ruin, injury or death upon anyone who dares to support a biblical definition of marriage. The preachers of tolerance themselves have become wildly intolerant. Accusing others of “hate” while in the same breath spewing forth a cocktail of profanity ridden vitriol, they become the very thing that they rail against.

Purveyors of hate and intolerance.

It’s an ugly scene. Volatile. And it’s going to get worse.

The proponents of gay marriage claim that their struggle is about equal rights, equal treatment under the law and the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

But, the issue is not about equality.

It’s not about rights.

It’s about right and wrong. The question of morality.

Who will define it and by what moral standard should we, as a nation, live?

Ultimately, almost every law has a moral component to it. Some more than others. Since long before 1776, the colonies and their inhabitants looked to a single source for their understanding of right and wrong.

The Bible.

The American Revolution itself was kindled by the contradiction between the actions of King George III and the pronouncements of Scripture. A simple reading of the Declaration of Independence confirms this in its most recognizable passage. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

It was a radical statement for the time. Rooted in biblical truth.

“…all men are created equal…”. A not-so-veiled swipe at the superiority of the Monarchy and the institution of slavery. The statement is drawn from numerous passages of Scripture that clearly indicate that we are all viewed equally in the sight of God. We are all equally accountable to our Maker.

“…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…”. A clear declaration that all rights descend to all men from God, not from the throne and not by edict from any ruler or institution of man. Anyone who tramples on those rights is guilty of an offense to God and man.

While early America’s view of morality and law was certainly based on biblical principles, it took 89 years for the nation to end the cruel and immoral practice of slavery. Once again, as in the Revolution, the effort was led by people of the Bible—Christian abolitionists—and paid for by the blood of over 600,000 Americans.

It’s clear that Americans have always looked to the Bible as the source of moral teaching. It’s part of our national heritage. It’s in the American DNA. It’s who we are. It crafted our nation and our national identity. One cannot understand America without understanding the role that the Bible has played in our development as a nation and as a people. Over time, our nation has begun to stray from its biblical roots, but in large part the people of the nation still view morality from a biblical perspective—even if they are not aware of it.

So, is gay marriage moral? Is it morally equivalent to the marriage of a man and woman and therefore deserving of the same status, rights and benefits?

Proponents say “yes,” that America has evolved beyond our dependency on the Bible as the source of truth and morality. They believe that our laws should reflect the moral behavior of the current culture.

For gay marriage supporters and their Democrat party brethren, truth and morality are moving targets and are dependent upon the whims of society at any given moment. In reality, what they advocate is a world where absolute truth does not exist and morality is determined by the behavior of the masses.

This is the horror of moral relativism. And it is incredibly dangerous.

History is filled with examples of nations and peoples ruled by “of the moment” morality, whether it was imposed by executive order or simply embraced as the common, everyday behavior of the average person.

Dictators have murdered millions in the name of their own twisted moralities. Nations have descended into decay and disorder as an unquenchable thirst to fulfill every human desire spread like a cancer, corroding cultures and shattering civil societies.

America, on the other hand, has been the greatest success story the world has ever known. Rising from obscurity to become the dominant economic, military and cultural powerhouse of the world. Why is that?

Is it our political or economic system? The strength of our military? Not so, say Chinese researchers. According to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, an official government institution, Christianity is where our strength lies. “…Christianity. That is why the West is so powerful. The Christian moral foundation of social and cultural life was what made possible the emergence of capitalism and then the successful transition to democratic politics. We don’t have any doubt about this.”

In other words, America is successful because of our biblical heritage. Our Christian culture and society.

Will America continue as a nation that draws its sense of morality from a biblical perspective or are the concepts of “right” and “wrong” simply to be determined by ballot or public opinion?

If the Democrat party and gay marriage advocates are successful in enacting gay marriage laws throughout the country, we will have started down a road of ruin where morality is not determined by any objective standard, but by political tactics, advertising and relentless publicity campaigns.

We will be vulnerable to continued attempts to define morality downward in an ever expanding search for unlimited personal freedom and the “right” to do all that we might imagine. The freedom and right to do anything and everything that the human heart desires will drive our understanding of right and wrong, effectively removing “wrong” from the equation altogether.

Unleashed from our archaic understanding of biblical morality, we will then be free to express our darkest desires under the protection of law and with broad, societal acceptance. We will be emancipated. Free to live as animals do, without regard to our Creator and without concern for such things as decency, goodness and honor. Our moral code will be limited only by the cravings of our corrupted hearts.

All across America, this scenario is repeated every day as Americans listen to their president on radio, TV or over the internet. There’s no argument. No discussion. No opinion polls necessary. Americans know that Barack Obama is a prolific and, some say, pathological liar. A say-anything-do-anything-to-get-what-he-wants kind of guy.

All politicians are accused of lying. While some obviously do lie, others are guilty of the art of “spin.” Everyone spins. Especially parents. “Eat your broccoli sweetheart it’s good and good for you. It’ll make you big and strong. Plus, you can have ice cream later.”

Spin is supremely annoying. But it’s not necessarily lying.

Most Americans would agree that politicians should be forgiven for lies that protect national security or sensitive military and intelligence operations. It goes with the territory. It’s common sense. We don’t tell the enemy our plans and we don’t jeopardize the lives of our military and intelligence personnel.

But a constant, repeated pattern of self-serving lies, deception and manipulation for personal and political gain is a different story. It’s one thing for a red-faced politician to lie about personal failings, whether it’s a naked “tweets” scandal or a stained blue dress. It’s quite another thing to lie to the American people as a matter of course, as a way to govern and as a way to legislate. It undermines and destroys the social compact that we have with our elected officials. Americans want honest politicians. Honesty breeds trust. And no relationship can survive long without it, be it parent/child, husband/wife, friend/friend, employer/employee or President of the United States/the American People.

So many questions surround Obama and his deceptive ways that it’s an overwhelming task to unravel it all. And maybe that’s the point. Maybe that’s the true, political genius of Barack Obama.

Under Obama, Americans face the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Millions are out of work. Millions more have stopped looking. Businesses closing their doors. Retirement and college funds raided just to pay bills and keep food on the table. And millions upon millions of homes lost in foreclosure. A reign of shattered dreams.

The prospect of another 4 years of the same, or worse, is truly frightening. So, what does the most failed president since Jimmy Carter do to win re-election?

Lie about what you said and did and then lie about your opponents. Talk about how things would be so much worse if you hadn’t come along—and how bad they’ll get if you’re not re-elected. Lie about your intentions and the consequences of your legislation. And then lie some more. Send your opponents scrambling as they try to disprove your lies. Meanwhile, make up more stuff. Tell more and even bigger whoppers. Blame the other guy(s) and get the opposition to spend their time, energy and money responding to numerous and wildly false accusations, dutifully repeated of course, by your loyal media co-conspirators.

Maybe you remember the story. Jesus Christ was lead into the mountainous, desert wilderness. There, He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and was tempted by the father of lies. With each temptation, Jesus responded by quoting Holy Scripture. Truth. He defended Himself with ultimate truth.

Get informed. Get the facts. Get mad and get the word out. Spread the truth about Barack Obama. And make sure you’ve got your facts straight. Truth has power. Rumors and internet blogs are often wrong. Check your facts and proclaim only the truth. To remain silent in the face of Obama’s lies is to empower him and the dark agenda that he holds for America.

While we’re all researching and telling the truth about Barack Obama, maybe it’s time to fairly and honestly evaluate the evidence and claims of one of America’s most trusted lawmen and well known truth-tellers, Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, AZ.

Joe Arpaio is a maverick. Not only does Sheriff Joe enforce the law in Maricopa County, he is universally known to be an honest man. A rarity in elective office these days. Joe tells the truth. To the media. To his constituents. And to the powerful. Even if it’s uncomfortable. Even if it’s politically incorrect and regardless of whose feathers may get ruffled. That’s why America loves him and why many Americans wish he was their sheriff.

Isn’t it reasonable to at least investigate these claims? Yet, there’s been a virtual media blackout on the results of Arpaio’s investigation. Sheriff Joe has been labeled a “Birther” in an attempt to discredit him. Media attendees at his press conference were more interested in Arpaio’s motives than the facts of the investigation.

But, what is more likely? That tried-and-true Sheriff Joe Arpaio has become a wild-eyed, Constitution-quoting, Obama-hating, conspiracy-theorizing Birther? Or that Barack Obama, known deceiver, consummate liar and pathological narcissist is hiding something critically important to the future of the American nation and doing so through the use of forged/fraudulent documents?

The truth about Barack Obama must be known and must be told. All of it. No matter how politically inconvenient or damaging. No matter the consequences. In a free and democratic society, truth is a requirement. The press is constitutionally charged with uncovering it. And the American people canhandle the truth. If only they are told.

“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” -John 8:44

The fear in the Republican Party is palpable. The country is being destroyed by Barack Obama. He must be defeated in 2012. Conservatives, long the red-headed step children of the Republican Party, have now become the dominant force through the emergence of the TEA Party. And they are determined to not allow another moderate Republican to be nominated by the Republican establishment. It would mean defeat. And another 4 years of Obama. Something the country cannot bear. It’s that important. Emotions are on high and what’s at stake is nothing less that the existence of America as we know it.

This is the viewpoint of most conservatives today and many Americans in general. This election is for keeps. Which is why the Republican primary race seems so manic. Talking heads have agreed this is a crazy primary season. And here’s why.

It’s open season on RINO’s. Republicans In Name Only. Conservatives have been left at the altar since Ronald Reagan left D.C. for his beloved Rancho del Cielo in California. A disappointing string of moderate Republican presidents, candidates, congressmen and senators have left the conservative movement with a case of jilted lover’s syndrome. Republican candidates campaigned as conservatives. And then ruled as moderates. Conservative principles were abandoned over and over again for personal and political gain.

This has left those in the conservative movement feeling used and taken for granted. Very angry. And highly suspicious.Conservatives are looking for 2 things in a presidential candidate. And these are non-negotiable.

These are core values that conservatives cherish. And the prescription for what ails America. Election year lip service to these principles is not sufficient. Conservatives have been burned before. This time, they are demanding the real thing. A genuine conservative. Fakers or political opportunists need not apply.

#2: A Brawler.

The anti-Obama. Conservatives have watched in years past as their candidates engaged in lukewarm policy discussions refusing to fight hard and talk tough. No more. The resentment felt for Barack Obama cannot be overstated. It is deep and dark. Conservatives are seething. They want a Rocky Balboa.

The Republican candidate must take on Obama toe to toe. Call him out. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Recall Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. Reagan was at his best in 1980 when he said: “A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.” With humor, Reagan said what everyone was feeling. But he hit hard. Conservatives long for someone who will tell the truth about and to Barack Obama. John McCain blew it in 2008. There’s no room for that in 2012.

The current crop of Republican presidential hopefuls is facing an electorate that has no tolerance for deviation from the conservative playbook. The problem for the candidates is that everyone knows this. Any supposed infraction is immediately twittered and trumpeted by media outlets, liberal and otherwise.

Conservatives have been deceived before by Republican candidates. Those who toed the conservative line just to buy votes. And all eyes and ears are on the alert lest it happen again. Conservatives are looking for the genuine article this time. Another Ronald Reagan. But even Reagan would not likely pass the conservative test in 2012. Even he was not a perfect conservative. Yet, for many, he was the greatest president of the 20th century and one of the greatest in American history.

There is no “perfect” conservative candidate. And that’s important to remember. Because in the midst of the frantic search for a candidate with true conservative credentials, “the next Ronald Reagan” that so many long for could well be overlooked. Rejected and discredited. Destroyed by his own kind.

The Republican primaries are set to begin with real voting in a matter of weeks. The true selection process will finally begin. Meanwhile, conservatives within the party continue the purge. Rooting out the weak. Exposing the insincere. Pouncing on imposters.

The Republican Establishment is fit to be tied. Mitt Romney is their guy. He’s the heir apparent to the Republican presidential nomination. Next in line. Experienced. Well-funded. Former governor. Businessman. Presidential looking. He is well organized in key primary states. But, it seems that the Republican electorate is not persuaded. Mitt can’t seem to convince more than about 25% of Republican primary voters that he’s the right choice. So what’s the deal?

By all accounts, Mitt Romney has all the traits that the typical Republican presidential candidate typically has. But, 2012 is not a typical election year. The American people are fearful and are sounding the alarm. The Obama nightmare is the beginning of the end. America is under attack and the enemy is the American President. Another 4 years of Barack Obama will seal the deal. Obama’s fundamental remaking of America will have succeeded. And America as we know it will have ceased to exist.

Republican primary voters are looking for a candidate who will take it to Obama head on. They’re looking for someone who will articulate a true, conservative vision for America. With boldness. Hard truths must be spoken and eagerly defended. Fresh, creative and big ideas are required. Americans are ready for tough solutions. And they are ready to fight for the country that they love. The fight must be extended beyond the presidency to Congress, state legislatures and local municipalities. This is an all out culture war for the future of America. Is Mitt ready for that?

Polls say no. Here’s why.

#1: He does not appear trustworthy

Is Mitt a flip flopper? Yes, but people are allowed to grow and learn and change their minds. Although, he has done it an awful lot and on fundamental core issues. Most people’s core beliefs don’t change. Apparently, Mitt’s can and have. Often.

#2: He’s got RINO (Republican In Name Only) written all over him

As the former Republican Governor of one of the most liberal states in the country, Mitt is highly suspect. Conservative voters, the backbone of the Republican party, are on the lookout for counterfeit conservatives. To conservatives, RINO’s are no better than liberal Democrats. They govern the same way. Because they talk like conservatives and walk like liberals, RINO’s are loathsome to the bulk of Republican primary voters.

#3: Romneycare

It’s Obamacare Lite and he simply cannot escape it. When asked about Romneycare in debates or interviews, Mitt’s answers raise red flags as he sounds more and more like a D.C. politician engaging in D.C. doublespeak. Americans are in no mood for fast talkers and slick salesmen. The future of the nation is at stake. This is serious business. The electorate is looking for straight talk.

Candidates must jettison their well-honed, practiced answers and talk to the American people from the heart. Be genuine and authentic. If you messed up, say so. But, don’t make excuses and don’t hide behind the 10th Amendment or the voters of Massachusetts. Romneycare is a failure. It’s bankrupting Massachusetts. Man up and own up to it.

#4: Mitt is a skilled and practiced debater

In fact, he’s too practiced. His answers are canned and repetitive. Robotic. In fact, Romney is reminiscent of Hymie the robot on the 1960’s “Get Smart” television show. Stiff. Unreal. Looks human, but not the real McCoy. Having a good answer is important, but communicating and connecting with people is equally important. Study Reagan. When he spoke, America listened. Americans felt like they knew who Reagan really was. He was genuine and authentic.

#5: Mormonism

It’s unpopular to say so, but the fact is that Mormonism remains an issue for Mitt. 75% of protestant pastors view Mormonism as a cult. It’s a mainstream view within protestant Christian churches. The unique theology of the Mormon Church and their proclamation that “we are Christians” is a problem for many protestant Christians and makes this an issue that will not go away.

#6: Mitt can get a little weird

When pressed and challenged on issues, Mitt Romney can lose his composure and act in strange ways. His recent interview with Fox News’ Brett Baier is one example. Baier is one of the most level-headed and fair interviewers in the business. Yet, Romney became offended when Baier touched on the issue of Romneycare. Later he told Baier that the tone of the interview was “uncalled for.” It was just plain silly. When Mitt got irritated in a debate exchange with Rick Perry, Mitt grabbed his shoulder, a clearly provocative move. Romney was lucky that Perry’s Southwest roots didn’t kick in and Perry didn’t grab Mitt’s shoulder, Texas style. Last Saturday, again irritated with Perry during a debate, Multi-Millionaire Mitt challenged Perry to a $10,000 bet. Like Rick Perry has $10,000 to burn? Like any Americans do? Dumb.

#7: Mitt’s repeated claim that he’s not a career politician

Mitt Romney ran for the Senate in 1994, Governor in 2002, President in 2007 and now again in 2011/2012. He is clearly a politician with high political ambitions. Claiming that he’s spent his life “in the private sector” ignores the fact that he’s been in the political realm since at least 1994 and, some argue, planning for a presidential run since 2005 during his first and only term as Governor of Massachusetts.

The 2012 election is widely believed to be the most important presidential election in our lifetime. It’s hard to disagree. Americans are closely watching the Republican debates. Social networking sites have changed the political landscape allowing instantaneous sharing of information and fact checking. The American Electorate is more informed today than at probably any time in history. If Mitt Romney wants to be the Republican nominee for president, he’s going to have to get very real, very fast.

According to Barack Obama, the Democrat party and Occupy Wall Street, society’s ills are primarily the fault of the entrepreneurial class. The rich and greedy. Those evil corporations who sap the life blood out of working class men and women. For maximum profit. Servants to the god of mammon, capitalists defraud their workers of time and energy compensating them only as much as required to keep their work force at work and generating fat profits for the fat cats. The poor get poorer and the rich get richer. Business owners obscenely profiting off of the noble sweat of their enslaved and powerless labor force. The exploitation of the common man.

This is the worldview of the liberal/progressive. The socialist, Marxist and anti-capitalist. And the President of the United States.

Instead of celebrating achievers as examples to follow, Obama has spread a malignant contagion of class warfare, deep resentment and good old fashioned envy. This manipulation of the darker side of human nature is the most sinister and ruthless kind of political tactic. Turning brother against brother. Blaming “the haves” and inciting the “have-nots.” Scapegoating is nothing new. Class envy and racial hatred are tried and true tools of despots and dictators. The world has seen this drama played out before. In Turkey, Germany, Cambodia and Bosnia. With horrific consequence.

Since William Bradford introduced market forces into the Plymouth Colony, America has been the land of capitalism. And capitalismfavors the industrious. The risk-takers. The American economy was designed to provide a greater reward to those who innovate, invest, build, develop, create and hire. And when success is achieved, all Americans benefit.

Early American entrepreneurs grew the economy and in the process, grew the new nation. They providedinnovative products and services. They created jobs and in some cases entirenew industries. As a result of their efforts, tax revenues increased as the employers, employees, vendors, consumers and investors all participated in free market capitalism. The positive ripple effect in America and throughout the world is hard to overestimate.

This is the economic template that built America. And it can build America again.

But, business owners today face a grim reality. Innovation, risk-taking, investment, growth and hiring used to result in higher profits. Profits, of course, being the incentive for being in business in the first place. Higher profits resulted in further investment and growth. More jobs. More production. More profits. Leading to more investment, growth and jobs. It’s a neat little cycle. And it works. However, with Obama’s promise to increasingly “tax the rich,” there is no incentive to grow and increase profits. With the burden of Obamacare and the punitive costs associated with compliance, there is no incentive to hire more employees. Businesses and business owners want to grow. But, they will not invite punishment.

These thoughts have been clearly expressed by big and small business owners alike. Steve Wynn, Las Vegas casino mogul, was very clear in July of this year when he said, “… I’m telling you that the business community in this country is frightened to death of the weird political philosophy of the President of the United States. And until he’s gone, everybody’s going to be sitting on their thumbs.” Small businessman Bill Looman, the owner of U.S. Crane LLC, gained recent notoriety as he proclaims loud and clear from his company trucks, “We are not hiring until Obama is gone.”

Such is the world of Ayn Rand’s famous 1957 novel, Atlas Shrugged. As the Atlas of Greek Mythology bore the world on his shoulders, Rand’s novel portrays business owners and entrepreneurs holding up the financial world while simultaneously supporting the non-productive members of society. Her words seem prophetic as she describes a world where the job-creators have finally had enough. Punished by excessive taxation and regulated to the point of extinction, the producers of society go on strike. Ceasing production, eliminating jobs and bringing the economy to its knees.

So, what if today’s producers and job-creators decided to slow down or stop producing? What would happen if American entrepreneurs and business owners refused to take risks, spend money, expand their businesses and hire new employees? The unemployment rate would shoot up. Jobs would be in short supply. Production would diminish. Construction jobs would grind to a halt. The economy would slow to a crawl. Tax revenues would diminish. State, county and city governments would struggle to meet their obligations. Some would be pushed into default. The federal government, given the ability to print money out of thin air, would continue to spend indiscriminately. Federal printing presses would go into overdrive, increasing the money supply and eventually resulting in massive inflation. Rapidly climbing food and energy prices would hurt those least able to afford it. Welcome to America, 2011. Like Rand’s Atlas, American businesses are beginning to shrug.

The reason is clear. Business owners and entrepreneurs are afraid. Of the President of the United States. And they have good reason. Obama is a socialist. A Marxist. A redistributionist. He lives and breathes “social justice.” His core beliefs are at odds with the economic structure and foundational truths that made America the greatest economic power in world history. And he’s not going to change.

And that’s the problem. American businesses do not face a problem of “uncertainty” as is often claimed. The problem is, they are quite certain about the future they face under Barack Obama. Punishing taxes and burdensome regulations. A future of government intrusion and interference in the free market. A future where government exacts such harsh penalties for doing business that it squelches the entrepreneurial drive and creates a disincentive for any new businesses or ideas to be born.

As a capitalist nation, the U.S. economy does indeed rest on the shoulders of those brave adventure seekers among us. Those bold innovators who choose to risk their time, energy, ingenuity and capital in pursuit of profit by producing something that the world wants and needs and at a price that the world is willing to pay.

As the American economy teeters on the brink of depression, American businesses wait and watch. The presidential election of 2012 will be the tipping point for the American economy. If Barack Obama wins a second term as President of the United States, capitalism will be fighting for its very survival. If capitalism cannot survive in America, it cannot survive anywhere for long. And where capitalism cannot survive, political freedom cannot exist.

“The record of history is absolutely crystal clear. There is no alternative way, so far discovered, of improving the lot of the ordinary people that can hold a candle to the productive activities that are unleashed by a free enterprise system.” -Milton Friedman